Vigilant Parlor Stove - coal or wood?

We just bought a house with a Vermont Castings Vigilant Parlor Stove (1977 is cast on the inside), which I assumed was a wood stove. I went to the VC site and downloaded the Vigilant manual and it indicates it is a coal stove. Which raises some questions:

1) How do I tell which type it is?
2) If it's a wood stove, can I burn coal in it and vice versa -- if it's a coal stove, can I burn wood in it?

Thanks,

John

The manual I have for pre-1988 Vigilant stoves indicates it is a wood stove. Here is a link to the manual:

http://www.fergusonfireplace.com/Defiant_Vig_Res_Intre_Pre88-0029.pdf

The manual on the Vermont Castings site is for the current stove which is a coal stove.

Look for a plate on the back of your stove which should tell you which generation it is and a manufacture date. The coal version is lined with firebrick and does not have "1977" on the back panel. It also has a shaker grate handle on the bottom front.

If you are not sure take a picture of the grates and post it.

Burn wood in a wood stove & coal in a coal stove. There are some dual fuel stoves but they do not burn either fuel well...

KaptJaq

Thank you very much for that -- there actually are no grates in the stove at all, but based on your description, I'm pretty sure it's the wood stove. Wood it will be.

John

You have chosen wisely. Sounds like you have a wonderful Vigilant there! Run her hot and enjoy!